Rice got closer this year with 65% (he had about 60% last year), but he's going to have a hard time getting in next year because some big names are going to hit that 2006 ballot - Cal Ripken Jr, Tony Gwynn, Mark McGwire...

I'm a little out of touch on the process for the Hall of Fame - does just the top vote get in? I thought there were a couple guys each year that entered the Hall.

You need 75% of the votes to get in, which this year was 390. There's no cap to the number of players elected each year (although it's usually very low, 1-3 players.) As long as you have 75% of the votes, you're in.

I think its a crime Jack Morris is not getting in, that guy was the best big game pitcher in baseball in the 80's and early 90's and won four rings

When I think of pitchers of the 80's I think of Gooden, Ryan, Clemens and Morris

I think Ryan and Clemens are slam dunks. Morris and Gooden, on the other hand, are going to have problems. I'd say Gooden is definitely not going to the Hall, especially with his problems with cocaine lately. But I know what you mean about the pitchers of the 80s, I'd like to also add Mike Scott to that list.

The thing that really gets me about the Twins bargain basement shopping this offseason is how Terry Ryan came out and said they would spend money to get some hitters. They should have spent a little more IMO and picked up some people who would help this team. They just basically replaced Jones and LeCroy with similar hitters. They will need the people they picked up to have career years just to improve the team a little. I wish Pohlad's cheap @ss would just sell the team to a local who wants them. Maybe then a new stadium deal could get done. Nobody wants to give Pohlad one after all the crap he's pulled.

I must say, as much as I'd hate to, that this looks like the Yankees year. With a healthy pitching staff (that's deep) and adding Damon, I really think that this could be a 100+ win year. Plus Robinson Cano might really go ape**** this year. That is one scary outfield the Yankees have there with Sheffield, Matsui and Damon. Actually, the infield is scary too if Giambi is Giambi again. Never hurt to have A-Rod either.